Receptacle closure



Aug'. 10, 1954 R. A. KELLEY RECEPTACLE CLOSURE Filed 001;. 13, 1953INVENTOR ROBERT ALLEN KELLEY J MD ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 10, 1954 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE REGEPTACLE CLOSURE Robert Allen Kelley, Tifton, Ga.Application October 13, 1953, Serial No. 385,779

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates toreceptacles and-- more particularly to aclosure therefor which may be" pivotally moved from a position closingthe receptacle to a position affording convenient access to the contentsthereof, or which may be entirely removed therefrom.

Heretofore, numerous devices of this nature have been purposed andutilized but many ofthese were relatively unsatisfactory due to disculty and cost of manufacture, susceptibility to damage and conveniencein usa- Likewisa-many of these prior artdevices were renderedinoperative by accumulations of dirt or other debris and were ofsuch'c'on'struction that rapid wear of theparts contributed toarelatively short life:

Itis therefore. an object of this invention toprovide a closure for areceptacle togetl-ier' withmountingmeans for suchclosure whichperm-itspivotal movement from closed to openposition and also permitscomplete removal and replace-' ment of the closure.-

A further object ofthe invention is the provision of acombinedreceptacleand closure therefor in which means isprovidedto securely"lock the closure in receptacle closing" positionand which at the sametime; permits convenient pivotal movement of the closure to aifordaccess to the contents of the receptacle or permits removal or theclosure from such receptacle;

A sti-ll further obj ectof the invention islthe pro vision of a closurefor receptacles together withmounting means permitting pivotal movementof the closure to aposition allowing convenient ac cess to the contentsof the receptaclesuch closure and mounting means being so constructedthat there is little likelihood of anaccumulation ofdirt or otherdebris. which might render the deviceinoperative.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a closure for areceptacle together with mounting means therefor, which closureandmounting: means may be economically formed by simple diestampingoperations and attached to a recep tacle by spot weldingor anyother suitable means, thus providing. a device which maybe'manufa'ctured for sale in a highly competitive market;

Further objects and advantages: of the-inven tion will be apparent fromthe iollowing descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing wherein-z Fig. 1- isanelevational'y-iew'of a closure andmountingmeans therefor constructed in accordance with this invention andattached} to are-- ceptacle' with the closure inreceptacle closingposition Fig. 2 a top plan view ofthe receptacle closureand mountingmeans therefor shown in Fig. 1'; and

Fig. 3 a fragmentary elevational view showing the closure of thisinvention in full lines just prior to pivotal movement thereof, orremoval from the receptacle as well as showing in dotted lines, theposition of the closure when fully opened and in dot dash lines the pathof movement of the closure when removed from the receptacle.

With continued reference to the drawing there is shown a receptacle 10'which may be of rec tangular cross-section but which also maybe of anyother desired cross-sectionwith the closure to be described formed inaccordance with such cross-section. The receptacle Ill may be utilizedto receive trash, garbage or any otherdesired materialandobviously it ishighly desirable to provide a closure therefor which may be tightlylocked in closed position; yet one which may be conveniently moved to aposition affording complete access to the contents of the receptacle andalso in order to facilitate cleaning of the receptacle and closure orfor more convenient removal of the contents of the receptacle, it isalso desirable that the closure be completely removable therefrom.

In accordance with this invention the closure Il may comprise arelatively fiat plate having substantially the same configuration asthecross-' section of the receptacle It, the plate It being somewhat largerthan the receptacle ID in order to overlap the edges or rim thereof totightly close the same. The plate ll may be provided with a rearwardlyextending portion I2- having lugs [3' and I4 extending from one sidethereof and lugs i5 and [6 extending from the opposite side edge.

Hinge mounting means in the form of cars I I7 and [3 are secured to thereceptacle lilby spot welds it or if desired, screw threaded or anyother fastening means may be utilized; Each of the ears ll and 18 areprovided with upstanding arcuate members 29 and rearwardly andupwardlyextending portions 2| which terminate at their upper ends in overhangingportions 22" providing notches 23. From notch 23 an inclined surface 24-leads toan arcuate surface 25 spaced from a portion of the arcuatesurface of members 28- to provide anarcuate slot in each ear ll and 18,the purpose of which will be presently described.- Arc'uate members 29-are also provided with inwardly extending radial notches 29 which areadjacent the upper edge' H of the receptacle l0.-

The rearwardly extending portion 12 of the plate H is disposed betweenthe ears H and 18 with the lugs 13 and 14 on one side of the portion i2and the lugs 15 and is on the opposite side thereof received in thenotches 25 and 23 respectively. The distance between lugs 53 and it andbetween lugs 15 and i6 is substantially equal to the diameter of thearcuate members 29. As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1, thelugs l3, l4, l and 56 received in the notches 2S and 23, prevent pivotalor other movement of the plate H with relation to the receptacle l8 andsuch relative movement is further prevented by an inwardly extending lug28 on the plate ll engaging beneath a lip 29, projecting outwardly fromthe receptacle !9 adjacent the upper edge 21.

When it is desired to open the receptacle it to afiord access to thecontents thereof, the plate ll forming the closure may be movedforwardly to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 at which time,the lugs i3, l4, l5 and [6 will move out of the notches 2S and 23respectively and the lug 28 will be disengaged from the lip 29. At thistime, the lugs ii and itwill be in alignment with the arcuate slots 25and pivotal movement of the plate l i to the dotted line position shownin Fig. 3, is permitted by movement of the lugs M and it into thearcuate slots 25. The plate H is maintained in the dotted line positionshown in Fig. 3 by engagement of the lugs 13 and I5 with the arcuatemembers 28 and by engagement of th lugs 64 and IS with the end walls 3!of the arcuat slots 25. During pivotal movement of the plate H and inthe event the lugs is and is do not exactly align with the open ends ofthe arcuate slots 25, these lugs are brought into alignment therewith byengagement with the inclined. surfaces 24. When the contents of thereceptacle Hi have been removed or when additional material has beenplaced therein, the plate ii may be returned to closed position as shownin full lines in Fig. 3 and thereafter locked in such position by movingthe same rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 with the lugs 13,i4, i5 and I6 received in the notches 26 and 23 respectively and withthe lug 28 engaging beneath the lip 29.

Should it be desired to completely remove the plate H from thereceptacle it! in order to facilitate cleaning or removal of thecontents thereof, the plate 1 I may be' moved to the position shown infull lines in Fig. 3 and thereafter raised vertically away from thereceptacle it as shown in dot dash lines in such figurev This move mentis permitted by reason of the fact that in the position shown in fulllines in Fig. 3, the lugs 13, Hi, i5 and it are disengaged from thenotches 26 and 23 respectively and the lug 28 is disengaged from the lip29 and in this position it will therefore be obvious, that there isnothing to preclude such vertical upward movement of the plate I].However, upon pivotal movement of the plate H and after the lugs it andI6 have entered the arcuate slots 25, the plate i i may not be removedfrom the cars it and receptacle l8, since the lugs it and i6 engaging inthe arcuate notches 25 together with engagement of the lugs l3 and H:with the arcuate surfaces of the members 28 prevent such removal of theplate I I.

Obviously, the receptacle it may be of conventional construction and theplate H as well as ears I? and 18 may be fabricated by relatively simpledie stamping operations from readily available materials and the ear I1and 18 may be attached to the sides of receptacle it if the same berectangular in cross-section, or if the same be circular or some otherconfiguration, the engaging portion of the ears l'i and i8 may be soformed as to lie fiat against the surface of receptacle I0 and beattached thereto in any desired manner.

Obviously, if the receptacle IE} is of other than rectangularcross-section it will b necessary to form that portion of the closureplate H directly above the same, to the same or similar configuration,but the rearwardly extending portion i2 disposed between the ears H and18 will still be generally rectangular.

It will be seen that by the above described invention there has beenprovided a relatively simple and inexpensive closure for a receptaclewhich permits the same to be pivotally moved to open position orcompletely removed, this closure when in receptacle closing positionbeing firmly locked in place to prevent access to the contents thereof.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof and therefore, the invention is not limited by that which isshown in the drawing and described in the specification but only asindicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination an open top receptacle, outwardly extending spacedears secured to the side walls of said receptacle adjacent the upper endthereof, an arcuate member on each ear, a radial notch in each arcuatemember adjacent the upper end of said receptacle, an upwardly andoutwardly extending portion on each ear spaced from said arcuate memberto provide an arcuate slot, said portion terminating in an overhangingpart providing a notch in alignment with said radial notch, an inclinedsurface on said portion between said notch and the open end of saidarcuate slot, a substantially fiat closure plate engaging the top ofsaid receptacle when in closed position and having a portion disposedbetween said ears, spaced pairs of lugs extending outwardly fromopposite side edges of said plate, one pair of lugs being disposed insaid radial notches and the other pair of lugs being disposed in saidnotches to lock said plate in closed position, an overhanging lug onsaid plate, a lip on said receptacle for engaging said overhanging lugto further lock said plate in closed position, the distance between saidpairs of lugs being substantially equal to the diameter of said arcuatemembers whereby upon forward sliding movement of said plate said pairsof lugs will be disengaged from said lip to permit upward verticalmovement of said closure plate away from said receptacle or to permitpivotal movement of said closure plate about said arcuate members withone pair of lugs entering said arcuate slots and with said lastmentioned pair of lugs engaging the ends of said arcuate slots when infully open position, said inclined surfaces serving to guide said pairof lugs into said arcuate slots during pivotal movement of said plate.

2. In combination an open top receptacle, outwardly extending spacedears secured to the side walls of said receptacle adjacent the upper endthereof, an arcuate member on each car, a radial notch in each arcuatemember adjacent the upper end of said receptacle, an upwardly andoutwardly extending portion on each ear spaced f from 'said arcuatemember to-provide an arcuate slot, said portion terminating anoverhanging part providing a notch inalignment withsaid. radial notch,asubstantially flat closure" plateengaging the-top of said receptaclewhen in closedpositionand having a portion disposed between said ears,spacedpairs of lugs extending outwardly from opposite side-edges of saidplate, one pair of lugs being dis-posed in said radial notches and theother pair of lugs being disposed in'said notches tolock said plate inclosed position, an overhanging lug on said plate, a lip onsaid re--ceptacle for engaging said overhanging lug to further lock said plate inclosed position, the distance between said pairs of lugs beingsubstantially equal to the diameter of said arcuate mem-- bers wherebyupon forward-sliding movement of said plate said pairsof lugs will bedisengaged from said notches andsaid overhanging lug willbe disengagedfrom said lip to permit upward vertical. movement of said closure plateaway from said'receptacle or to permit pivotal movement of said closureplate about said arcuate members with one pair of lugsentering saidarcuate slots andwith said last mentioned pair of lugs engag-' ing theends of said arcuate slots when in open position.

3. In combination an open top receptacle, outwardly extending spacedears secured to the side walls of said receptacle adjacent the upper endthereof, an arcuate member on each ear, a radial notch in each arcuatemember adjacent the upper end of said receptacle, an upwardly andoutwardly extending portion on each ear spaced from said arcuate memberto provide an arcuate slot, said portion terminating in an overhangingpart providing a notch in alignment with said radial notch, asubstantially flat closure plate engaging the top of said receptaclewhen in closed position and having a portion disposed between said ears,spaced pairs of lugs extending outwardly from opposite side edges ofsaid plate, one

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pair of lugs being disposed in said radial notches and the other pair oflugs being disposed in said notches to lock said plate in closedposition, the distance between said pairs of lugs being substantiallyequal to the diameter of said arcuate members whereby upon forwardsliding movement of said plate said pairs of lugs will be disengagedfrom said notches to permit upward vertical movement of said closureplate away from said receptacle or to permit pivotal movement of saidclosure plate about said arcuate members with one pair of lugs enteringsaid arcuate slots and with said last mentioned pair of lugs engagingthe ends of said arcuate slots.

4. In combination an open top receptacle, outwardly extending spacedears secured to the side walls of said receptacle adjacent the upper endthereof, an arcuate member on each ear, a radial notch in each arcuatemember adjacent the upper end of said receptacle, an upwardly andoutwardly extending portion on each ear spaced from said arcuate memberto provide an arcuate slot, a notch in said portion in alignment withsaid.

radial notch, a substantially flat closure plate engaging the top ofsaid receptable when in closed position and having a portion disposedbetween said ears, spaced pairs of lug extending outwardly from oppositeside edges of said plate, one pair of lugs being disposed in said radialnotches and the other pair of lugs being disposed in said notches tolock said plate in closed position, the distance between said pairs oflugs being substantially equal to the diameter of said arcuate memberswhereby upon forward sliding movement or said plate said pairs of lugswill-be disengaged from said notches to permit upward vertical movementof said closure plate away from said receptacle or to permit pivotalmovement ofsaid closure plate about said arcuate members with onep'air-of'lugs entering said arcuate slots and Withsaid last mentionedpair oflugs engaging the ends'of said arcuate slots.

5.- For use with an open top receptacle, a pivotally mountedand'removable closure com-' prising spaced ears to be secured toareceptacle" adjacent the upper end thereof, anarcuate member on eachear, a radial notch in each arcuatemember adjacent the upper end of saidreceptacle, an' upwardly and outwardly extending portion oneach earspaced from said arcuatemember to provide an' arcuate slot, said portionterminating inan" overhanging part providing a notch in alignment" withsaid radial notch, an inclined surface on saidportion between saidnotch'and the open end of saidarcuate slot, a substantially flat closureplate for engaging the top' of said receptacle when in' closedpositionand having a portion disposed between said ears, spaced pairs oflugs extending outwardly fromopposite side edges of said plate, one pairof lugs being disposed in said radial notches and the other pair of lugsbeing disposed in said notches to lock said plate in'closed position, anoverhang-- inglug on said plate for engaging a lip on said receptacle tofurther lock said plate in closedposition, the distance between saidpairs of lugs being substantially equal to the diameter of said arcuatemembers whereby upon forward sliding movement of said plate said pairsof lugs will be disengaged from said notches and said overhanging lugwill be disengaged from said lip to permit upward vertical movement ofsaid closure plate away from said receptacle or to permit pivotalmovement of said closure plate about said arcuate members with one pairof lugs engaging the ends of said arcuate slots when in fully openposition, said inclined surfaces serving to guide 7 said pair of lugsinto said arcuate slots during pivotal movement of said plate.

6. For use with an open top receptacle, a pivotally mounted and removaleclosure comprising spaced ears to be secured to a receptacle adjacentthe upper end thereof, an arcuate member on each ear, a radial notch ineach arcuate member adjacent the upper end of said receptacle, anupwardly and outwardly extending portion on each ear spaced from saidarcuate member to provide an arcuate slot, said portion terminating inan overhanging part providing a notch in alignment with said radialnotch, a substantially flat closure plate for engaging the top of saidreceptacle when in closed position and having a portion disposed betweensaid ears, spaced pairs of lugs extending outwardly from opposite sideedges of said plate, one pair of lugs being disposed in said radialnotches and the other pair of lugs being disposed in said notches tolock said plate in closed position, an overhanging lug on said plate forengaging a lip on said receptacle to further lock said plate in closedposition, the distance between said pairs of lugs being substantiallyequal to the diameter of said arcuate members whereby upon forwardsliding movement of said plate said pairs of lugs will be disengagedfrom said notches and said overhanging lug will be disengaged from saidlip to permit upward vertical movement of said closure plate away fromsaid receptacle or to permit pivotal movement of said closure plateabout said arcuate members with one pair of lugs engaging the ends ofsaid arcuate slots when in fully open position.

"I. For use with an open top receptacle, a pivotally mounted andremovable closure comprising spaced ears to be secured to a receptacleadja-V cent the upper end thereof, an arcuate member on each ear, aradial notch in each arcuate member adjacent the upper end of saidreceptacle, an upwardly and outwardly extending portion on each earspaced from said arcuate member to provide an arcuate slot, said portionterminating in an overhanging part providing a notch in alignment withsaid radial notch, a substantially flat closure plate for engaging thetop of said receptacle when in closed position and having a portiondisposed between said ears, spaced pairs of lugs extending outwardlyfrom opposite side edges of said plate, one pair of lugs being disposedin said radial notches and the other pair of lugs being disposed in saidnotches to lock said plate in closed position, the distance between saidpairs of lugs being substantially equal to the diameter of said arcuatemembers whereby upon forward sliding movement of said plate said pairsof lugs will be disengaged from said notches to permit upward verticalmovement of said closure plate away from said receptacle or to permitpivotal movement of said closure plate about said arcuate members withone pair of lugs engaging the ends of said arcuate slots when in fullyopen position.

8. For use with an open top receptacle, 2. pivotally mounted andremovable closure comprising spaced ears to be secured to a receptacleadjacent the upper end thereof, an arcuate member on each car, a radialnotch in each arcuate member adjacent the upper end of said receptacle,an upwardly and outwardly extending portion on each ear spaced from saidarcuate member to provide an arcuate slot, a notch in said portion inalignment with said radial notch, a substantially fiat closure plate forengaging the top of said receptacle when in closed position and having aportion disposed between said ears, spaced pairs of lugs extendingoutwardly from opposite side edges of said plate, one pair of lugs beingdisposed in said radial notches and the other pair of lugs beingdisposed in said notches to lock said plate in closed position, thedistance between said pairs of lugs being substantially equal to thediameter of said arcuate members whereby upon forward sliding movementof said plate said pairs of lugs will be disengaged from said notches topermit upward vertical movement of said closure plate away from saidreceptacle or to permit pivotal movement of said closure plate aboutsaid arcuate members with one pair of lugs engaging the ends of saidarcuate slots when in fully open position.

No references cited.

